ICAN Education Foundation

ICAN Vote

Election Day Registration

Help Tell the Truth About Election Day Registration!

The Iowa legislature is poised to make history in the coming days. A bill to allow Election Day Registration (EDR) -- and to effectively throw open the doors of democracy to all eligible voters – could be debated on the floors of the House (HF 653) and Senate (SF 352) as early as next week.

Allowing registration on Election Day brings people into the electoral process that are often excluded, like students, renters, low-income people, and those who have recently moved. We need a groundswell of support for this legislation from public to pass it into law.

Counter the Lies -- Write a Letter to the Editor!

Opponents of EDR, who oppose taking down barriers to participation, will argue that this legislation would lead to voter fraud. DO NOT be fooled – this is a red herring! There is solid documentation that there is no increase in voter fraud in the several states that already allow Election Day Registration. In order to prevent just such accusations Iowa’s EDR legislation has very stringent requirements to prevent fraud as well as strict penalties were fraud to be proven.

A great way to amplify YOUR voice on this important issue is to write a letter to the editor of your local paper urging others to contact their elected officials. In this way, your activism has an even greater effect, moving many others to action as well.

Sample Letter and Tips on Writing a Letter to the Editor:

1. Include your name & address and date your letter....

2. Address the letter properly....
Letters to the Editor
Opinion Page
Your Local Newspaper
Your Town, IA Local-Zip
(or find the online form or email address at your paper’s web site – most can be found through the following site

3. Define the problem....
“Antiquated Iowa state law requires people to register 10 days before an election. Just when a race gets interesting, it's too late. It's time for Iowa to take away the barriers and allow citizens to register to vote on Election Day.”

4. Define the solution....
“Election Day Registration (EDR), permits eligible citizens to register and vote on Election Day. EDR increases the opportunity for all citizens to participate in our democracy. Making voter registration convenient is an effective way to increase civic participation. In fact, voter turnout in the seven states that allow Election Day Registration (including our neighbors Minnesota and Wisconsin) is consistently 10% higher or more than in states that don't permit it. Allowing registration on Election Day brings people into the electoral process that are often excluded, like students, renters, low-income people, and those who have recently moved.”

5. Be Specific
First define the problem in a brief paragraph, and then define the solution in the second paragraph. In the third paragraph, tell people what they can do to bring about the solution.

6. Be Brief
Most newspapers have editorial rules regarding the length of letters to the editor, as well as requirements for listing your name -- and possibly your address -- for verification purposes. Make sure you find out what the rules are and follow them, or your letter won't be printed. Many newspapers accept letters by way of e-mail or a web-form. You should still follow up with a call after submitting by e-mail.

7. Get people involved....
“You can help make EDR the law in Iowa by contacting your legislators and telling them to support EDR. This bill will be taken up on the floor of the House (HF 653) and Senate (SF 352) in the coming days and our elected officials need to know that the people of Iowa want this change. We want to make the most fundamental right we have in our democracy – voting – accessible to anyone who is eligible to participate.”

8. Follow Up
Call the newspaper and confirm that your letter was received. After your letter is published, clip and save it (or print it from the paper’s web site); it may come in handy later.

9 Send Us A Copy
Unless our members mail us a copy of their letters to the editor (or email us a link) on the issues that concern them, there is no way for us to track them -- or the responses they generate. It is helpful for us to have any letters that you send whether they are published or not. Photocopies of (or links to) both your printed letter and printed responses to your letter are very helpful.

*** Remember to put your letter in your own words – the sample letter is just included as an example! ***

Thank you for taking action on this right away! For more information on Election Day Registration, visit ICAN on the web at www.iowacan.org or see the website of our nation partner on this issue, Demos: http://www.demos.org/page18.cfm. Thank you for joining the effort to make the most fundamental right we have in our democracy – voting – accessible to anyone who is eligible to participate.

Any Questions, please contact Political Director Amy Logsdon at 319-354-8116 or by email at ALogsdon@IowaCAN.org


Thank you for participating in our democracy. Your actions will help build momentum to make real change here in the state to help as many people as possible vote their voice and voice their vote.

Click here to visit ICAN's Election Day Registration Page.